• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.367-378
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• 2024

In this study we sought to elucidate the therapeutic effects of fenchone on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and the underlying mechanisms. An IBS-C model was established in rats by administration of ice water by gavage for 14 days. Fenchone increased the reduced body weight, number of fecal pellets, fecal moisture, and intestinal transit rate, and decreased the enhanced visceral hypersensitivity in the rat model of IBS-C. In addition, fenchone increased the serum content of excitatory neurotransmitters and decreased the serum content of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the IBS-C rat model. Meanwhile, western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that fenchone increased the expressions of SCF and c-Kit. Furthermore, compared with the IBS-C model group, fenchone increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, Allobaculum, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-008, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Alistipes, and Escherichia-Shigella on the genus level. Overall, fenchone ameliorates IBS-C via modulation of the SCF/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota, and could therefore serve as a novel drug candidate against IBS-C.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.7-16
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• 2013

Objectives : Brassica campestris var narinosa (BCN), Canavalia gladiata DC semen (CGD) and their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) have been use to demonstrate to regulate hematopoiesis. In the current study, we investigated whether Brassica campestris var narinosa, Canavalia gladiata DC semen and their combinational prescription is related to hemato-potentiating function using Sca-$1^+$ hematopoietic stem cells (Sca-$1^+HSCs$) as a testing system. Methods : Sca-$1^+HSCs$ isolated from femur in C57bl/6 mice with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). Then, Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression, ELISA and haematopoiesis-related gene (EPO, TPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, GM-CSF), the phosphorylation of JAK2, GATA-1 and STAT-5a/b were observed by western blot, and the numbers of $CD117^+/Sca-1^+$ cell and the number of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E), semisolid clonogenic assay was performed. Result : When Sca-$1^+HSCs$ were treated with Brassica campestris var narinosa, Canavalia gladiata DC semen and their combinational prescription with rIL-3/rSCF, the expression of haematopoiesis-related (EPO, TPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, and GM-CSF) were significantly increased at the levels of mRNA as well as production in Sca-$1^+HSCs$. Additionally, CGS enhanced phosphorylation of JAK2, GATA-1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5a/b (STAT-5a/b) in Sca-$1^+HSCs$. Furthermore, their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) significantly enhanced the growth rate of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E) in vitro. Conclusion : These result suggest that Brassica campestris var narinosa (BCN) and Canavalia gladiata DC have hematopoietic enhancement via hematopoietic cytokine-mediated JAK2/GATA-1/STAT-5a/b pathway, and their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) has superior hematopoietic enhancement to those of individual extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.9-16
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• 2012

Objective : Canavalia gladiata DC semen (CGS) have been used to improve hematopoietic activity. In the current study, we investigated whether CGS regulate hemato-potentiating function using hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as a testing system. Methods : HSCs isolated from femur in mice with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia induced induced by CTX. Then, Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression and hematopoietic related gene (EPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, GM-CSF), the phoaphorylation of GATA-1 and STAT-5a/b were observed by ELISA method, and the number of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E), semisolid clonogenic assay was performed. Result : When HSCs were treated with CGS, the expression of hematopoietic related genes (EPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, and GM-CSF) were significantly increased at the levels of mRNA as well as production in HSCs. Additionally, CGS enhanced phosphorylation of STAT-1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5a/b (STAT-5a/b) in HSCs. Furthermore, CGS significantly enhanced the growth rate of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E) in vitro. Conclusion : These result suggest that CGS has hematopoietic enhancement via hematopoietic cytokine-mediated GATA-1/STAT-5a/b pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.745-752
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• 2018

Melanogenesis is involved in the pigmentation of the hair, eyes, and skin in living organisms. Various signaling pathways stimulated by ${\alpha}-MSH$, SCF/c-Kit, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$, nitric oxide and ultraviolet activate melanocyte, leading to melanin production by tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expressed via the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). However, the abnormal regulation of melanogenesis causes dermatological issues such as graying hair and vitiligo. Therefore, the activators that promote melanogenesis are crucial for the prevention of graying hair and the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders. Many melanogenesis stimulators have been studied for the development of novel drugs derived from synthesized compounds and natural products. Here, in addition to providing a description of a common signaling pathway in the melanogenesis of graying hair and the vitiligo process for the development of novel anti-hair graying agents, this article reviews natural herbs and the active ingredients that promote melanin synthesis as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of vitiligo. In particular, compounds such as Imatinib and Sugen with a stimulating effect on melanogenesis as a side effect of the drugs, are also introduced. Recent advances in research on natural plant extracts such as Polygonum multiflorum, Rhynchosia Nulubilis, Black oryzasativa, and Orysa sartiva, widely known as traditional and medicinal extracts, are also reviewed.